Lamine Camara’s double helped Senegal get their Africa Cup of Nations title defence off to a winning start as they recorded a comprehensive 3-0 victory over the Gambia’s 10 men.
Pape Gueye put the 2021 champions ahead just four minutes in, while the Gambia were reduced to 10 men when the Cardiff midfielder Ebou Adams was sent off on the stroke of half-time. Camara doubled Senegal’s lead seven minutes after the break and wrapped up victory in style with a stunning curling strike in the closing stages.
Senegal took the lead when Camara’s cross was cleared as far as Sadio Mané and the former Liverpool forward laid the ball off to Gueye on the edge of the box, who smashed it first time into the bottom corner.
Musa Barrow fired a free-kick from a tight angle into the side-netting for the Gambia and his compatriot Ali Sowe had a great chance from a corner, but the cross was slightly too high as his header flashed wide. The Gambia were then handed a blow when Adams was shown a red card, eight minutes into first-half stoppage-time.
The Teranga Lions took advantage of their extra player seven minutes into the second half when Ismaïla Sarr played Camara through and he tucked the ball into the bottom corner to extend their lead. They were nearly gifted a third when Yankuba Minteh found Habib Diallo in the six-yard box, but the goalkeeper Baboucarr Gaye managed to smother the attempt.
For the Gambia there were two half-chances for Omar Colley, but Senegal remained in control with Gaye being called into action again to deny the Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson from close range.
Camara capped off the afternoon as he completed his brace in the 86th minute when Iliman Ndiaye weaved past the Gambia defence to find the Metz midfielder, who curled the ball first time into the top right-hand corner from 25 yards out to seal victory.
Meanwhile, Cameroon were held to a 1-1 draw by resolute 10-man Guinea in their Africa Cup of Nations opener in Yamoussoukro.
Mohamed Bayo had given Guinea a shock early lead before captain Francois Kamano was sent off in first-half stoppage time following a VAR review for standing on Frank Magri’s foot.
Magri’s header levelled things up six minutes into the second half, but Cameroon could not find a winner past the well-organised Guinea defence.
Algeria drew 1-1 with Angola in the final game of the day. Baghdad Bounedjah gave Algeria the lead before Mabululu equalised from the penalty spot. – Guardian
- Sign up for push alerts and have the best news, analysis and comment delivered directly to your phone
- Find The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date
- Our In The News podcast is now published daily – Find the latest episode here
